California, Bell | featured news

More than a month after testimony ended, a jury has reached a verdict in the trial of the so-called "Bell 6," who are accused of misappropriation of public funds in a scandal that left a small city southeast of downtown Los Angeles nearly bankrupt.

The former city administrator of Bell, California -- who's at the center of corruption allegations that he and seven other city officials misappropriated $5.5 million in salaries and personal loans -- is suing the city for breach of contract and labor code violations.

Three present and former Bell city leaders facing public corruption charges now want the cash-strapped city to pay their legal bills.Attorneys for Mayor Oscar Hernandez, Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo and former Councilman George Cole have filed court documents saying the city should cover their legal expenses for a lawsuit filed by the California attorney general's office.

Dozens of municipalities still have not provided date; they could be fined. The state launched a website Monday on which Californians can see how much money cities and counties pay their workers, but dozens of municipalities have failed to file the information and could face fines of up to $5,000 unless they comply.

The future of the beleaguered Bell, California, City Council is unclear.